The notable aspects of the ’70s are etched in everyone’s memory: disco balls, bell-bottoms, and the resurgent inflation trend. Yet, the ordinary objects of daily life genuinely evoke nostalgia, transporting individuals to kitchens adorned with daisy-patterned wallpaper and brown refrigerators. Revisit the past through these everyday ’70s items, now transformed into cultural artifacts.
Wacky Packs
In the wake of the counterculture movement in the ’60s, the following decade saw a more whimsical form of rebellion emerge. Presented akin to baseball cards, Wacky Packs utilized outrageous humor to satirize consumer goods, featuring gems like Gulp Oil and Crust toothpaste. Though despised by their parents, little did they realize that Art Spiegelman, a writer for Wacky Packs, would eventually become the sole graphic novel creator to achieve the prestigious honor of winning the Pulitzer Prize.
Portable Record Players
Slightly larger than MP3 players, these devices demanded careful handling of records (with the 45s requiring adapters) and were prone to inevitable scratches. The portable suitcase record player ensured the party vibe was transportable, offering an opportunity to enjoy a bit of Earth, Wind & Fire at any location—though the speakers leaned more toward whispers than roars in terms of power.
Pocket Combs
A direct heir to the iconic afro pick, pocket combs flaunted large, gleaming handles that jutted stylishly from back pockets, making a bold impression during the roller rink’s ladies’ choice moments. These combs were wielded with flair to perfect feathered hairstyles, doubling as a fashionable accessory that seamlessly matched one’s ensemble. As if plucked from a trendsetter’s dream, they epitomized functionality and panache in a truly distinctive way.
Latch Hook Rugs
For those seeking additional textural experiences and dirt-trapping surfaces beyond shag rugs, the ’70s introduced hook rugs as a go-to home craft activity. Armed with an essential hook tool, a collection of 2-inch earth-toned yarn bundles, and a pattern featuring an oddly disconcerting turtle, enthusiasts created pieces that declared, “Our living room was a realm of handmade charm,” reflecting an era where personal touches outshone store-bought aesthetics.
Tube Tops
Tube tops granted girls a taste of their discotheque dreams—a sleeveless, elasticized marvel embraced sans bras. Icons like Farrah Fawcett, Cher, and Suzanne Somers transformed them into fashion must-haves. At the same time, young pre-teens struggled to prevent inadvertent slips. They determinedly kept these chic pieces in place as they navigated the world with trendy flair.
Flip Flash
Bid farewell to cumbersome flash cubes as the Flip Flash seamlessly attached to your Kodak Instamatic. Enabling the capture of numerous shots in low light, this innovation brought a fresh level of convenience—yet patience was required, awaiting a week to retrieve developed photos only to uncover their potential lack of focus. The past era’s photographic journey, complete with its quirks, was encapsulated within this process.
Cassette Recorders
Debuting in the swinging ’60s, the compact cassette flourished throughout the ’70s, emerging as a budget-friendly and conveniently portable alternative to its reel-to-reel predecessor. With cassette recorders at hand, one could leisurely record television audio while lounging by the screen or embrace their inner rock star, belting off-key melodies to radio tunes while a humble curling iron transformed into an impromptu microphone—a whimsical convergence of technology, entertainment, and resourceful improvisation.
Cards in Bike Spokes
In the groovy era of the 1970s, the game’s name was all about embracing the spirit of motorcycles, whether one cruised on a Big Wheel, zipped around on a Green Machine, or got inventive with playing cards cleverly nestled in bicycle spokes. The more speed gathered, the more those wheels harmonized a spirited “vroom vroom” symphony. Evel Knievel’s daring persona undeniably fueled this trend, leaving an indelible mark on the culture of that time.
Banana Seats
A nod to motorcycle aesthetics in children’s bicycles, introducing banana seats alongside the Schwinn Chopper in 1963 added a stylish flair. In the ’70s, elevated handlebars and elongated seats not only lent a touch of the “Easy Rider” vibe but also allowed kids to speed past neighborhood bullies, embodying a sense of adventure and style on the pavement.
Tiger Beat
Before the rise of Instagram and its cadre of influencers, it was within the glossy confines of teen magazines that adolescents discovered their idols. Tacked onto locker doors and festooning bedroom walls were the cherished torn-out pinups of heartthrobs like Shaun Cassidy, Andy Gibb, and Scott Baio. With insight into the publication’s ethos, Chuck Laufer, the visionary behind the magazine, underscored its content featuring “guys in their 20s singing ‘La La’ songs to 13-year-old girls,” capturing a generation’s adoration.
Tab
While not the inaugural diet soda (that distinction belongs to Diet Rite), Tab secured its place as the most prevalent. Unveiled by Coca-Cola in 1963, it primarily targeted the female demographic. Praised for its uniquely artificial sweetness, entirely divorced from natural flavors, Tab’s popularity soared due to its distinct allure.
Macrame
In the ’70s, crafting took on a simpler yet less aesthetically pleasing quality. Earthy tones of brown, beige, and olive drab dominated the palette, and versatile knotted ropes held endless possibilities. Although a practice with ancient roots, the ’70s witnessed an array of creations—from planters to notably scratchy bedspreads—fashioned out of this enduring textile, encapsulating an era defined by such distinctively humble materials and hues.
Iron-On T-shirts
Iron-on T-shirts were the mass-market way of saying you were an individual. You could buy the transfers and iron them on at home, but they’d start to peel and crack after about a month. Or go to the mall store, where a giant press heated them for you. What better way to tell the world you were too hot to trot?
CB Radio
The CB radio, a staple for truckers and a symbol of the era found its way into mainstream culture through a combination of factors. Its widespread use resulted from its commercial accessibility and the massive boost provided by the catchy 1975 tune “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. This musical sensation even inspired a 1978 Kris Kristofferson movie of the same name. So, the next time your buddy suggests plans for Saturday night, channel your inner nostalgia with a hearty, ’10-4, Good Buddy.’
Wall Telephones
Phones in bedrooms were a luxury for the highly affluent youngsters. The rest of the crowd would huddle in the kitchen, conversing on a wall-mounted telephone. Those fortunate might enjoy an extended spiral cord stretching into hallways for secretive chats with friends. Memories resurface of Mom’s stern calls and her subsequent cheerful ‘Hello!’ upon picking up the kitchen phone.
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